Ralph Winegarner
Ralph Winegarner
Hall of Fame Class of 1965
Born in Benton in 1909, Ralph Winegarner played in the major leagues as both a position player and pitcher.
Winegarner began his professional career in 1930 with the El Dorado Lions of the class-D Cotton States League as a third baseman. At the end of the season, he was acquired by Cleveland and appeared in five games for the Indians, getting 10 hits in 22 at bats.
After spending the 1931 season back in the minor leagues, he was converted to a pitcher in 1932. He started the 1932 season with the Toledo Mud Hens and brought back up to Cleveland in August. He appeared in seven games, two as a pinch hitter, four as a relief pitcher, and one as a starting pitcher. His won his first major league start, a 6-4 complete game victory over the Chicago White Sox.
After spending 1933 with Toledo, Winegarner returned to the Indians in 1934, which was his first full season in the majors. Used mostly in relief, he appeared in 22 games as a pitcher, one as a right fielder, and nine as a pinch hitter.
In 1935, Winegarner was used more extensively as a pinch-hitter. He also played left field, first base and third base, while also appearing in 25 games as a pitcher.
Winegarner began the 1936 season with the Indians but was sent to the minor league New Orleans Pelicans in June. He remained in the minor leagues for the next five seasons. In 1942, he served as a player-manager for the San Antonio Missions of the Texas League.
After missing the 1943–45 seasons to World War II military service, he returned in 1946 he was a player-manager in the St. Louis Browns system. In 1949, he was hired as a coach by the Browns, and in July he was added to the active roster. He appeared in nine games as a relief pitcher, his first major league action in over thirteen years.
Winegarner was released at the end of the 1949 season and remained with the team as a coach through the 1951 season. He returned to the Indians organization in 1952, serving as manager of the Class A Wichita Indians.
Winegarner died in Wichita in 1988 and is buried in Benton.
